Learn all about Dairy Cattle

This is a very practical foundation course; providing unique and extensive support from university qualified and industry experienced experts.

If you want to learn about dairy cattle and their management, this is the course for you.

Student comments:

"(This course)... has given me confidence in that I can understand the farmers I will be dealing with as a vet." H. Thorneycroft, UK - Dairy Cattle

"The course was put together very well. It covered all the important aspects of dairy farming and offered some important practical hands-on information that other courses lacked. I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel now that I have equipped myself to work on a dairy farm." K McKenzie, Australia - Dairy Cattle

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

Dairy Breeds

Dairy Products

The Lactation Cycle

Pests & Diseases of Dairy Cattle

Feeding Dairy Cattle

Managing Dairy Cattle

Breeding Dairy Cattle

Managing Dairy Facilities

Dairy Business Planning

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

Select appropriate dairy breeds for different farming situations.

Describe the different characteristics, including their nature and scope, of dairy products.

Explain the management of the lactation cycle in dairy cattle, on a farm property.

Manage general husbandry operations for the dairy cow.

Manage the wellbeing of a dairy cow, including consideration of its health and vigour, to optimise quality and quantity of production.

Explain the significance of animal breeding programs for milk production.

Explain the management of the facilities, including buildings and machinery, at a farm dairy.

Develop a business plan for the management of a dairy property.

What You Will Do

Distinguish between three different breeds of dairy cattle, which are either significant in the learner's locality, or have potential in the learner's locality, including:

size

appearance

preferred conditions

milk

cost per head.

Evaluate the suitability of three different dairy cattle breeds to a specified property, in a locality with which the learner is familiar.

Select three appropriate dairy cattle breeds for each of four specified situations, with regard to:

pasture varieties

climatic conditions (eg. temperature and weather patterns)

locality

market requirements for the product

Judge a dairy cow, using a standard score card, such as the dairy cow unified score card produced (and revised in 1982) by the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association.

List the different dairy products which are commonly available, in the learner's locality.

Describe the composition of milk, with reference to different characteristics, including:

sediment

bacteria count

chemical impurities

somatic cell count

added water

flavour

Explain the different types of flavours in milk, referring to both cause and prevention factors, and using relevant terminology, including:

feed

rancid

flat

unclean

foreign

salt

acid

oxidised flavours

Explain how milk composition can affect its use for different purposes.

Explain how milk is processed, on a property visited by the learner, including the process of pasteurisation (sanitisation).

Explain how cheese is made, on a specific property.

Explain how yoghurt is made, on a specific property.

Explain how milk is processed to obtain cream, at a typical dairy.

Describe the lactation cycle of a dairy cow.

List the farm husbandry factors which can influence the lactation cycle.

Explain how three different variations in a cow's diet may affect lactation.

Prepare a plan for a feed flow program to support milk production on a specified property.

Produce a log book record of management tasks carried out, over a period of 1 month, to control the lactation cycle in dairy cattle on a specified property.

Milk a cow, verifying the proper undertaking of the task.

List the routine husbandry tasks carried out on different dairy cows, including those in milk and those that are dry.

Explain the routine husbandry tasks carried out on two different types of dairy cows, including those in milk and those that are dry.

Compare the management of heifers with that of milking cows on a specified dairy farm.

Describe the management of dairy cattle for meat production on a specified dairy farm.

Evaluate a production system on a dairy farm, in a locality familiar to the learner.

List the pests and diseases that are significant for dairy cattle in the learner's locality.

Develop a checklist for the signs of ill health, which should be routinely checked, in dairy cattle.

Describe three significant pests or diseases of dairy cattle, including mastitis.

Explain treatments for three different pests or diseases in dairy cattle.

Explain the irregularities which can occur in the functioning of the digestive system of dairy cattle.

Distinguish between a maintenance ration and production ration for a dairy cow.

Explain the nutritional requirements of a typical dairy cow on a specific property.

Calculate the rations for a dairy cow in accordance with specified characteristics, including:

weight

quantity of milk being produced

butterfat concentration

Prepare a collection of pasture plant species from two different dairy properties, and including:

samples of plants (ie. pressings of different plants in the pasture)

comments on the suitability of the pasture for dairy cattle.

Produce a twelve month plan to manage the vigour of dairy cattle, on a specified property, which includes:

a list of disease management procedures

feed program variations throughout the year

Explain a breeding program in use for dairy herd improvement on a specified property.

Explain the artificial insemination methods used with dairy cattle on a specified property.

List the criteria for selecting cattle for a dairy breeding program, in a locality which is familiar to the learner.

Plan a hypothetical breeding program, to improve milk quality and production for dairy cattle.

Describe the selection and preparation of dairy cattle for sale in the learner's locality.

Develop a marketing plan for a specified dairy product which addresses:

product presentation

delivery of product

promotions

customer relations

Develop a business plan for a specified dairy property.

Describe how the sale of dairy meat can be managed, in accordance with a business plan, while adhering to relevant regulations.

WHY ARE SOME BREEDS BETTER FOR DAIRY PRODUCTION?

Some cattle breeds are preferred for use on a dairy farm. There are many reasons for this. They may give a greater quantity or quality of milk; but there can be other reasons for choosing one breed over another too. Certain breeds are more adapted to certain climates. Other breeds may adapt better to the feed available; or for one reason or other, suit the market they are catering to.

Breeds commonly used for dairy production around the world include:

Ayrshire

Brown Swiss

Busa

Canadienne

Dairy Shorthorn

Dutch Belted

Estonian Red

Fleckvieh

Friesian

Girolando

Guernsey

Holstein

Illawarra

Irish Moiled

Jersey

Kerry

Lineback

Meuse Rhine Issel

Milking Devon

Montbéliarde

Normande

Norwegian Red

Randall

Sahiwal

Studying this course will enable you to understand the various characteristics of the different breeds, so you can choose the most appropriate breed for any situation at hand. From there you will also learn to understand the husbandry techniques and everything else that is important about dairy production.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Distance education doesn't mean you're going it alone - you have tutor support every step of the way

Study to suit your commitments - your education doesn't need to stop as life make demands

Our program design has less focus on assessment and more on your lifelong learning

Affordable study and payment options available

An opportunity for business success

Our independence from government means we can offer courses suited exactly to employer needs and wants

AFTER YOUR COURSE

This course will give you the insights needed to confidentally work with dairy animals:

As a dairy farmer

As a reilief milker

As someone working in allied industry such as stock agents

Or to lead on to further studiesin agriculture

Let us help you make the Best Decision for You!

We've always found it is better to communicate with someone before they enrol. If we understand your passions, capabilities and ambitions, we can help you map out a course of action to give you the best chance of achieving your goals.

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Alison Pearce

University Lecturer, Quality Assurance Manager, Writer and Research Technician. Alison originally graduated with an honors degree in science from university and beyond that has completed post graduate qualifications in education and eco-tourism. She has m

Peter Douglas

Over 50 years experience in Agriculture and wildlife management.
Former university lecturer, Wildlife park manager, Animal breeder, Equestrian.
Peter has both wide ranging experience in animal science, farming and tourism management, and continues to ap

Marius Erasmus

Subsequent to completing a BSc (Agric) degree in animal science, Marius completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South

Dr. Gareth Pearce

Veterinary scientist and surgeon with expertise in agriculture and environmental science, with over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in the UK, Australia and New Zealand

Organic GardeningFor decades farmers have relied upon chemicals to control pests and diseases in order to produce saleable crops. In the ornamental, vegetable and fruit gardens reliance on chemical controls has also been the mainstay for many gardeners.

Cattle BreedsThe Cattle Breeds ebook is a comprehensive guide to many varieties of cattle.

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